MANILA, Philippines—Sen. Manuel Villar may have gained a partner, but not necessarily the support of another party.

Though Sen. Loren Legarda has agreed to run with Villar, this does not translate to him also having the backing of the Nationalist People's Coalition as of now, according to Pangasinan Rep. Mark Cojuangco, son of the party's founder, tycoon Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco.

The NPC is the second largest political party in the country and has over 3,500 sitting officials nationwide.

Cojuangco said the NPC had agreed to allow Legarda to team up with anyone she desires, but that does not mean the party is required to follow her lead. But the NPC would remain behind Legarda all the way.

“That decision of Sen. Legarda should not bind the party because the party has its own decision,” Cojuangco said over the phone.

“There is no conflict in giving her that permission and the party's position,” he added.

According to him, the NPC is still deciding whom to support for president, if it would support anybody at all.

The decision may come after the deadline for the filing of the certificates of candidacy, and maybe even next year.

He said the 2010 polls are unique in the sense that the deadline for the filing of the COC comes months before the actual elections. In the interim, many things could happen or could change, especially given the volatile nature of politics, he added.

“We feel so many political things are going to change,” he said.

Asked if he thought Villar would be getting the short end of the stick since the NPC may not be committed to support him, Cojuangco said this was not the case.

“The mere fact that Sen. Villar is getting a vice president or running mate that already agreed with him is already enough advantage,” he said.

As to the possibility of conflict or confusion arising during the campaign should the NPC back a rival candidate of Villar, he said the party would deal with such a scenario when it is before them.

He noted that there is still the chance that the party may not back any standard bearer, and a decision like this would give rise to no conflict at all.